US envoy praises Iraq’s efforts to restrict weapons to state control

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – US Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to put weaponry under state control, calling it a historic turning point for Iraqi sovereignty and stability. Barrack also praised the Iraqi militias for agreeing to disarm and hand their weapons over to the authorities. “We extend our congratulations to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on this significant step forward, which represents the nascent foundation for a renewed Iraqi self-governance—grounded in restored sovereignty, enduring stability, and the promise of national renewal,” Barrack said on X. “We likewise commend those groups whose principled decision to return all weapons to the Iraqi state will contribute to the architecture of order,” Barrack added. Barrack’s remarks took place after Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a prominent Iraqi Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary organization backed by Iran, announced that it will split from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and bring its weapons under the control of the Iraqi government. The step reflects a larger regional and local attempt to integrate non-state armed organizations into Iraq’s official military command organizational framework. The move took place a few days after Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stated that his armed force, Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), would break from his political movement and incorporate into governmental institutions. The decision was made after al-Zaidi urged all armed organizations to function under Iraq’s official institutions. The post US envoy praises Iraq’s efforts to restrict weapons to state control appeared first on Iraqi News.